Gaseous conduction device



Sept. 8, 1936. R. E. BARCLAY GASEOUS CONDUCTION DEVICE Filed June 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 22 /16 r11 (frafirbkr/ Affair/ y @M 1 MW Sept. 8, 1936. R. E. BARCLAY GASEOUS comaucnou mavxcx:

2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed June 14, 1934 Fatented sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GASEO'US CONDUCTION DEVICE. Robert a. Barclay, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 14, 1934, Serial No. 730,584

19 Claims.

I It is ordinarily necessary to utilize relatively high electrical potential difierence applied at spaced points in the gaseous conductor in order to initiate or start an electrical discharge in the gaseous conductor, although after the discharge is i once initiated, the same may be maintained with relatively lower potential diflference between the spaced points of application of the electrical potential. The necessity of applying relatively high electrical potential difierence is a well-recognized obstacle to the satisfactory commercial operation of gaseous conduction devices at voltages available-in the ordinary commercial electrical power supply systems.

My invention has for an important object the 3 provision of the luminous element or lamp embodying ,a gaseous electrical conduction medium of the character mentioned having means whereby the device may be started in operation at relatively low voltage and maintained in operation with relatively low consumption of power.

Another important object is to provide a gaseous conduction device formed with exciting means functioning to condition the device for starting in operation at relatively low voltage. Another important object is to provide a device of the character mentioned, including exciter means comprising a gaseous conduction electrical discharge element co-operatively arranged in position to induce electrostatic effects in the gaseous conduction medium of the device in order to'improve its operating characteristics and permit the device to bestarted in operation at relatively low voltage.

Another important object is to provide a dis- 3 charge device or lamp of the character mentioned comprising a confining envelope defining a discharge path in a gaseous conduction medium and including excited means disposed about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium within the envelope in order to permit the initiation of electrical discharges in said medium at relatively low applied voltage.

charge device or lamp of the character mentioned comprising a confining envelope contain- Another important object is to provide a dising a gaseous conduction medium and including excite: meanscomprising an elongated, preterably tubular, element disposed about the envelope, said tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium adapted for easy excitation, said exciter means, when excited, being adapted to condition the conduction medium within the envelope in order to permit electrical discharges to be initiated between spaced points within said envelope with relatively low applied voltages between said points.

A further object of the invention is the exciter means for the-gaseous conduction medium enclosed within an envelope, said exciter means comprising an elongatedtubular element coiled '1 spirally about the envelope. 7

Another important object is to provide exciter means for a gaseous conduction medium enclosed within an envelope, said exciter means comprising an elongated tubular element argo ranged in serpentine coils disposed longitudinally with respect to the walls 01' said envelope.

Still another object is to form the envelope or the lamp to provide a substantially U-shaped channelcontaining the gaseous conduction medium and to arrange the exciter device about the walls of the envelope defining the U-shaped channel. a

A still further object is to provide a device or lamp of the character mentioned comprising an envelope defining a channel containing a gaseous conduction medium and having adjacent portions forming channel legs separated by dielectric means, electrode means in each leg whereby to initiate electrical discharges in said legs and means forming an additional discharge device associated 'with and disposed about the envelope walls defining said legs whereby to condition the medium therein for the initiation of electrical discharge therein in response to rela- 40 A tively low voltage applied to the electrodes.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a device embodying my present invention and comprising amain conduction element Ii and an exciter element 89;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the elementsoi the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a s'ectional'view taken through one end of the device shown in Figure 1 to illustrate a mode of mounting the same in a support socket or base;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 1;

Figures 6' and '7 show a modified arrangement of the exciter element in a device embodying the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of conduction element 33 adapted for use with exciter elements of the character shown in Figures 2 and 7 to form devices embodying the invention; and

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views taken respectively along the lines 9-9 and |0-l0 in Figure 8.

To illustrate the invention, I have shown in the drawings, a gaseous conduction lamp I l comprising a sealed envelope iii of preferably translucent material, such as glass, formed to provide a discharge channel l5 containing a suitable gaseous conduction medium such as neon, argon, crypton, mercury vapor, carbon dioxide, or other medium adapted to glow and emit light when electrically excited by means of the application of potential diflerence between the electrodes I! at a lower voltage than is required to initiate discharge if the exciter device is omitted.

The envelope 1 3 may be of any suitable form and is preferably made of light transmitting material, such as glass. The envelope is preferably, though not necessarily, arranged so that the channel 15 has adjacently extending portions or legs in the terminal ends of which the electrode means are arranged. The envelope may conveniently be formed from a length of glass tubing with the electrodes enclosed at the opposite ends of the tubing, which ends are or may be sealed after the introduction of the gaseous conduction medium in any suitable or convenient manner known to the art in order to provide a sealed envelope containing the medium and having the electrodes disposed in spaced apart relation on or in the envelope. The tubing may be straight or may be bent as at approximately mid-way of its ends in order to provide a substantially U-shaped channel containing the gaseous conduction medium between the electrodes. Several advantages obtain to the form embodying the U-shaped channel; These advantages include the possibility of making power connections conveniently at but one end of the device. It is not, however, essential to utilize an integral U-shaped tube, but equivalent results may be had by utilizing two or more separate elements having electrodes at each end, the elements having their electrodes connected so that the elements are in a series chain while the end elements of the chain are arranged for connection with an external power source at one end of the assembly.

I prefer, however, to utilize an integral envelope providing a U-shaped or serpentine channel l5 and to fabricate the envelope from a suitable length of integrally partitioned tubing of the character shown in my United States Patent No. 1,904,348 issued April 18, 1933. To one end of a tube of this character having an integral partition 2| defining preferably two channels 23 on opposite sides of the partition, I apply a dome 25 in position to seal the end of the tube and communicate the channels 23 through the dome.

---currentpower may be supplied by means of direct cathode target.

folding a straight tubing back and forth upon I itself, or as indicated in Figures 8, 9, and 10, by utilizing a length of tubing having integral partition means defining several channels in which case the channels are connected together in pairs at one end of the envelope by means of a plu- I rality of domes, each channel of each pair so connected being connected by means of a dome at the other end of the envelope, with a channel of an adjacent pair to provide a chain of channels connected in series to form a serpentine discharge duct within the envelope, the opposed ends of the duct are, of course, sealed and provided with electrode means.

Discharge devices embodying my present invention depend for their operation upon the initiation and maintenance of electrical discharges in an ionized field between spaced stations, preferably formed as electrodes, carrying opposite electrical charges, the discharge occurring in the gaseous conduction medium, from a negatively charged station or anode, to a positively charged station or cathode which is called the target. Such discharges may be initiated by applying direct current between the electrodes in which the anode and cathodes maintain their character as such throughout the operation of the device. Alternately, the discharges may be caused by the application of alternating potential between the electrodes, in which case the electrodes alternate their status as anode and cathode with each alternation of the applied potential.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrodes are two in number and are preferably formed as taught in my co-pending application, Serial Number 570,717, filed the 23rd day of October, 1931, the electrode arrangement forming a device adapted for operation in response to the application either of alternating or direct electrical potential between the electrodes. Alternating current power may be applied from a distribution system comprising a transformer while direct current bus conductors.

It'is also within the contemplation of my invention to provide for exciting one or more of the electrodes themselves, in order to promote the efllciency of the device and to this end, the electrodes may be of filamentary form having means for heating or otherwise energizing the electrode from an external power source in order to promote electron emission at the electrode which aids in the establishment of electrical discharge within the chamber between the spaced electrode.

Where the device is operated with direct potential applied between the spaced electrodes, it is particularly desirable to provide means for thus directly exciting the electrode forming the Alternating current may also be used to energize a device having a permanent cathode electrode by providing the device with a plurality of anode electrodes spaced apart and from the oathode target. In such an arrangement, means provided for applying alternating potential be tween the anode electrodes while connecting th cathode target to aneutral point in the alternating potential supply system. By this expedient, the device is constituted as a .rectifler,'the discharges taking place in a uni-directional manner successively from the several anodes to the cathode target during each alternation of the potential applied at the anodes. I may provide additional anode electrodes to form a device capable of multi-phase operation as shown in my copending application, Serial Number 705,393, filed January 5, 1934.-

Ordinarily, it would be necessary to apply a relatively high potential difference between the electrodes in order to initiate discharges in the gaseous conduction medium contained within the chamber I 5. I have found, however, that by exposing the gaseous conductor medium to the effects of high frequency oscillations, it is possible to initiate and maintain electrical discharges in the medium contained in the chamber 15 with substantially less voltage applied between the discharging electrodes. This advantage is particularly noticeable when the envelope I3 is formed with closely adjacent chamber portions 23 separated by dielectric means preferably. formed as an integral part of the envelope and forming a condenser between the chamber portions 23.

In order to provide for exciting the gaseous medium within the chamber I5, I arrange the gaseous conduction discharge element l9 in position such that it will apply the electrostatic effect, initiated by electrical discharges therein, to the gaseous conduction medium within the chamber ii. The element l9, preferably comprises tubular envelope means 31 of suitable preferably light-transmitting material such as glass which is sealed at its opposite ends and provided with electrodes 39 by means of which an electrical discharge may be initiated in the conduction medium within the envelope 31.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the envelope v3'! comprising the exciter means I9, is arranged as a plurality of serpentine coils about the sides of the envelope l3. In arranging the tubular member 31 in this fashion, I find it more convenient, for practical considerations, to form the exciter element in several sections, two sections being illustrated, although it is, of course, possible to form the exciter as a single unit. The two sections shown comprise sealed tubes bent to form serpentine coils in their intermediate portions, the end portions 39 and 4| of the tubes being formed to receive electrodes by which the gaseous medium within the tubes may'be excited from an external power source. The serpentine portions of the tubes also are preferably formed in circular fashion toconform with the shape of the envelope l3 about which they are disposed so that when the two sections are mounted on opposite sides of the envelope l3, the tube portions forming the exciter element lie in a cylindrical plane surrounding the envelope. I prefer also to oft-set the ends of the tube in order to arrange the tube ends 39 and 4| snugly with respect to the envelope extensions 2'! containing the electrodes I'I so that the envelope l3 and the exciter means may be supported on a receptacle or base comprising a cup-shaped member 43 into which the extensions 21 and the tube ends 39 and 4| maybe inserted and secured by any suitable insulating compound 43 poured into the cupshaped. element 43 after the' insertion of the envelope extensions 27 and the tube ends 39 and 4|.

The electrodes contained within the tube ends 4| are or may be electrically connected together vided for connecting the electrodes within the tube ends 39 with an external power source for the purpose of exciting the medium within the exciter envelope means 31. I also prefer to arrange the serpentine portion of the exciter element slightly spaced from the wall of the envelope l3 and to maintain the spaced relationship and prevent vibration of the envelope means 31, I may depress inwardly, as at 49, the serpentined portions at spaced intervals inorder that the tubular element forming the exciter means may bear upon the outer wall of the casing i3, by forming the depressed portions 49 of the element in registration. In the adjacent sections forming the serpentine element, I may provide for securing the exciter element firmly on the envelope l3 by attaching a flexible fastening element such as a wire 5| about the serpentined portions of the exciter means in order to hold the same in place.

The cup 43 also may be provided with terminals 53 which are electrically connected with the electrodes i1 and with terminals 55 which are electrically connected with the electrodes within the tube ends 39, so as to provide a unit adapted for detachable mounting'in any. convenient power outlet.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, the exciter device comprises a tubular element arranged in helical coils about the sides of the envelope l3, the opposite ends of the tubular element being preferably disposed at one end of the element and snugly with respect to the envelope extensions 21 so that the power connections for energizing the gaseous media in the envelope I3 and in the exciter element 31 may be applied at one end of the unit, and whereby further the assembly may be mounted in an outlet socket similar to that shown at- 43 in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

It is not, of course, essential to the invention, to provide a support base of the character shown and, in larger units, the provision of a supporting base may not even be desirable. In small units, however, the provision of the base results in protection of a readily replaceable device having obvious advantages. Where a base is not provided, any suitable supporting devices, as for instance, clamps, clips and other suspension means, may be employed for supporting the unit in operating position.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments and arrangements of the exciter element and of the envelope I3, it is within the to provide a main discharge channel l5 having a relatively large cross sectional area and an adjacent associated discharge channel of relatively small cross sectional area and having an eifective length in the channel between the spaced potential-applying electrodes therein which is considerably longer than the efiective length of the the envelope l3 will-become excited or conditioned to a degree permitting the initiation and maintenance of an electrical discharge in the mediumcontained in the channel l5 of said envelope at a voltage appreciably lower than is required to initiate the discharge therein in the absence of the exciter device. The exciter device 31 may require the application of relatively high electrical potential between the electrodes 39, but the power consumed by the exciter device at the higher voltage is relatively low on account of its small cross sectional area, and by utilizing the exciter device, the discharge within the main envelope i3 may be initiated and maintained at considerably lower voltage so that the over-all efiiciency of the unit is greatly improved because the power required to operate the main element is substantially reduced. After the initiation of the discharge in the envelope l3, the exciter may be discontinued from operation, if desired, since the voltage required to maintain the discharge in the envelope I3 after the same has been initiated is approximately the same as that required to initiate the discharge after the gaseous medium has been conditioned by the operation of the'exciter. The exciter, however, may be maintained in continuous operation, in which case it is possible to maintain a discharge in the channel lit at voltages which would not even maintain the device in operation in the absence of the exciter.

The conduction medium in the exciter and in the envelope l3 may be selected to provide light of different colors when both elements are in operation. For instance, neon gas, which emits a characteristic red color when excited by electrical discharge, may be utilized in the exciter element 31, while mercury vapor, which when excited produces a characteristic blue light, may be employed within the envelope l3. It is also within the contemplation of the invention to operate either or both of the elements l3 and 31 discontinuously in order to produce a changecoior eflect.

,It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous advantages may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein described being preferred embodiments merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

, 1. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said. envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being formed as a plurality of serpentine loops about the other element.

2. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and

' an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in iwhich high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope 'in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being, arranged as a plurality of serpentine loops extending longitudinally of the other element.

3. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up: said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being formed as a plurality of sections electrically connected in series.

4. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being arranged as a plurality of sections and each section of the tubular element being arranged to provide a plurality of serpentine loops extending about the sides of the other element.

5. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope being arranged to provide a discharge channel having adjacent portions disposed within the zone defined by said tubular element.

6. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope being arranged to provide a plurality of adjacent channels separated by partition means integral with said envelope and forming dielectric means between said channels, and said channels and intermediate dielectric means being enclosed within a zone defined by said tubular element.

'7. The combination of a discharge device comprising -an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope being formed as a plurality of sections defining a plurality of channels electrically interconnected in series and said channels being enclosed in a zone defined by said tubular element.

ing a gaseous conduction medium inwhich high frequency discharges may beset up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in positionto excite the'gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, said envelope comprising an integral tubular element having a plurality of channels defined therein, said channels irequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the-initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope being provided with spaced apart electrodes in the elongated channel oi. the envelope, said electrodes being located at one end of the envelope, the tubular element being formed with electrode means at its opposite ends and said opposite ends being disposed snugly adjacent the electrodes of the envelope whereby electrical connections with all of said electrodes may be ade at one end of the assembly. a:

10. The combination 0 a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in' response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope'being provided with spaced apart electrodes in the elongated channel of the envelope, said electrodes being located at one end of the envelope, the tubular element being formed with electrode means at its opposite ends and said opposite ends being disposed snugly adjacent the electrodes of the envelope whereby electrical connections with all of said electrodes may be made at one end of the assembly, and a receptacle or base receiving the electrode-provided ends of the envelope and the tubular element.

11. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the elongated channel of the envelope being arranged to form a serpentine path enclosed within the zone defined by said tubular element.

12. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element-,theelongated channel of the envelope'being arranged, to form a U-shaped path enclosed, within--t he ;:zone defined by said tubular element,

13. The combination of a discharge device 3 comprising anv envelope forming an; elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element con:- taining a gaseous conductionmedium in, which high frequency discharges maybe set up, said tubular element extending about'said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of dis,- charges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being arranged in coils about said envelope and theelongated channel of the envelope being arranged to form a serpentine discharge path within the zone defined by said coils.

14. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular elementv extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being arranged inhelical coils about said envelope and the elongated channel of the envelope being arranged to form a serpentine discharge path within the zone defined by said helical coils.

15. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, said tubular element being arranged in coils about the envelope and the envelope being arranged to provide a discharge channel having adjacent portions disposed within the zone defined by said coils.

16. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and

an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, said tubular element being arranged in helical coils about the envelope and the envelope being arranged to provide a discharge channel having adjacent portions disposed within the zone defined by said helical coils.

17. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium,

and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the tubular element being arranged in coils about said envelope and the elongated channel of the envelope being arranged to form a U-shaped discharge path withinthe zone defined by said coils.

18. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extendingabout said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope of said discharge device comprising a tubular element having integral partition means defining discharge channel portions on opposite sides of the partition means, said envelope including a dome at one end thereof whereby said channel portions are in communication the one with the other at one end of the envelope and electrode means in the opposite ends of each channel portion.

19. The combination of a discharge device comprising an envelope forming an elongated channel containing a gaseous conduction medium, and an exciter comprising a tubular element containing a gaseous conduction medium in which high frequency discharges may be set up, said tubular element extending about said envelope in position to excite the gaseous medium in said envelope in response to the initiation of discharges in the medium in the tubular element, the envelope of said discharge device comprising a tubular element containing integral partition means defining a plurality 01 adjacent discharge portions, said envelope having dome means at one end of the envelope whereby a pair of said channel portions are in communication at one end of the envelope and additional dome means whereby another pair of said channel portions are in communication at the other end of the envelope, a pair of said channel portions having sealed ends, and electrode means in the sealed end of each of such channel portions.

ROBERT E. BARCLAY. 

